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Football News: Premier League Preview Moday 30th October

Premier League Preview Moday 30th October
Image from: stevenjcarson.com

Monday 30th October 2017

 


Burnley v Newcastle United 1:30pm kick off

Wood (tight hamstring) late fitness test
Vokes (abdominal injury) late fitness test
Marney (fitness) major doubt
Walters (knee injury no return date yet) out
Heaton (dislocated shoulder no return date yet) out

It has been a good start to the season for Burnley, but they are struggling to turn draws into wins. It almost seems to be a theme running through the Premier League this season, but they are struggling to get goals, scoring just 8 goals in 9 games, but they are strong defensively, conceding just 9. It does seem that this season teams are much less expansive and more defensive than in recent years, making for a Premier League that is lacking entertainment. Burnley are one of the biggest culprits, with their lack of attacking intent each week.

That is not to take anything away from what the manager, Sean Dyche, has done there, it is almost a minor miracle that he has achieved, but it has not been done by being attacking or entertaining first and foremost. This season there has been a clear shift away from defending deep, leaving two up top to look for quickly launched counters. There has been more focus on retaining possession, which has seen one striker dropped so an extra, defensive midfielder, can be utilised. It is this stage in a club's time in the Premier League, when they try and play more, that often they find themselves relegated. It is to Dyche's credit that they have shown no signs of that happening just yet.

Most important player: Jack Cork. His arrival has seen the change in style brought in to accomodate him and he has helped the defence to be more solid. The team could do with more creativity on the ball from him though.

 

Gayle (calf strain) doubt
Dummett (hamstring injury expected return 25th November) out
Haidara (knee injury) doubt

After the first two games, with the club tearing itself apart as Rafa Benitez was at loggerheads with the board over transfer policy, particularly the ludicrous cap on spending more than £15m on any one player that Lee Charnley placed on them, Newcastle looked almost certain for relegation. However the players and fans were behind Rafa, particularly the fans, and they helped the club to win the next 3 and lift themselves into the top half, where they have stayed since then.

With the takeover talk swirling round the club, Rafa and the players have to watch they keep their focus on the pitch over the next few months.
Most important player: Jonjo Shelvey. With his suspect temperament likely to be tested repeatedly in the coming weeks, his job is to keep a cool head and concentrate on just being the creative heart of the team.

 

Defining Battle: Ayoze Perez will find himself in direct opposition to Jack Cork, both players looking to operate in the same area. If either player is able to get good control over the ball there, they are going to give their side a massive advantage. Perez very rarely gives the opposition much time to rest, liking to press from the front, which could cause problems with Burnley trying to take more possession of the ball in that area.

 

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 1-1
Ed003 - 0-1
Ed004 - 1-0
Ed007 - 1-2
Ed018 - 2-2
Ed025 - 2-1
Ed033 - 1-0

 


Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed018 - 52 points
2. Ed025 - 46 points
3= Ed003 - 45 points
3= Ed007 - 45 points
3= Ed033 - 45 points
6. Ed002 - 40 points
7. Ed004 - 39 points

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 27th October 2017

Written by Tris Burke October 30 2017 04:32:31